Remote Sensing Field Technician, Monarch Butterfly Habitat Monitoring

• Position Title: Remote Sensing Field Technician, Monarch Butterfly Habitat Monitoring (2 positions)
• Position Status: Seasonal, full-time
• Location: MO, KY, OH, southern IL, and southern IN
• Project Dates: March 17 – September 26, 2025
• Compensation: $18/hr
• Priority Application Deadline: January 12, 2025; will remain open until filled
• Travel required: Yes, extensively throughout MO, KY, OH, IL, and IN

Join the growing team of the Monarch Joint Venture, a nonprofit dedicated to conserving the monarch butterfly migration across North America. We are hiring one team of two field technicians to study monarch butterfly breeding and migratory habitat on private lands enrolled in the USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) within the states of MO, KY, OH, IL, and IN. Travel, lodging, and field logistics will be managed by the project team, with accommodations varying based on site locations (e.g., field housing, hotels, rental properties).

This is a seasonal, full-time position, approximately 40 hours per week, with the possibility of paid overtime. Qualified candidates must be able to commit to the full term of the monitoring season, drive long distances with their field partner, and live away from home during the project dates. Technicians will travel extensively throughout the study area, primarily conducting drone surveys over monarch butterfly habitat as well as collecting biological data on monarch butterflies and their habitat, including milkweed, and other floral resources using an established monitoring protocol. Opportunities to support outreach events or professional training on monitoring protocols are also expected.

Field technicians will receive two weeks of paid training in February, prior to the start of the field season. This will include a week of virtual training and a week of in-person training. Travel to and from the training and work area at the beginning and end of the field season, food, and additional personal travel costs are the responsibility of the employee. Field season lodging will include a combination of field housing and hotel or rental accommodations and will be dependent on survey site location, moving among focal areas within MO, KY, IL, IN, and OH. MJV will cover the cost of registering for a Part 107 training course (Remote Pilot Certification), which is to be completed before the start of the field season.  Necessary equipment, fuel, and lodging costs (up to 7 days a week) are covered by the project grant. 

Responsibilities

(A) Training and Field Season Preparation (10%)

• General onboarding procedures including organizational operations and safety training.
• Obtain Part 107 certificate and become a licensed drone pilot: practice basic flight maneuvers.
• Learn multiple survey methods (e.g., Integrated Monarch Monitoring Program, pollinator transect surveys).
• Select survey sites and communicate with the landowners regarding the project’s objectives and to arrange site visits. Prepare travel schedules.

(B) Conduct monarch and vegetation surveys throughout MO, KY, OH, IL, IN (80%)

Navigate to survey sites to perform remote sensing surveys and field surveys using a standardized protocol. Identify blooming plant species and record their frequency, examine milkweeds for monarch eggs and caterpillars, and count adult monarchs. Specific duties include:

• Field data collection (60%): Conduct field surveys. The majority of surveys will be drone surveys, with a subset of sites requiring in-field sampling, which will involve walking a series of transects at each site and recording milkweed and blooming plants within 1-m2 quadrats, examining milkweed for monarch eggs and larvae within a 1-ha area, recording adult monarch observations, and/or recording other Lepidoptera and potential pollinators.
• Data and field logistics management (15%): Maintain, organize, and enter field data on tablets/computers throughout the season. Collect and process field management activity records from landowners. Maintain a travel schedule and secure lodging as the season progresses with guidance and direction from the field supervisor. Conduct data proofing and correction to ensure data accuracy. Maintain regular contact with MJV staff and field site contacts.
• End-of-season wrap-up (5%): Approximately 2 weeks working remotely at the end of the season, performing end-of-season wrap-up tasks including data entry, review, and analysis.

(B) Train others in remote sensing, Integrated Monarch Monitoring Program (IMMP) protocols, participate in education and outreach events (5%)

Technicians may assist in training local conservation staff and volunteers to conduct standardized monitoring and data entry used in this project. Trainings include informal field excursions and connecting trainees to IMMP resources for further learning. Participate in public education and outreach events focused on conservation, monarch science, and public lands access.

(C) Additional duties as assigned (5%) 

Conduct additional duties related to this field study as the need arises. Tasks may include, but are not limited to, organizing or generating media content and training tools, or preparing data or data collection tools for future use. 

Qualifications

Essential Skills: 

• Background in environmental science, biology, or related field. Experience working in conservation, wildlife monitoring, or remote sensing is highly desired.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively, especially in remote field settings.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively engage with landowners, stakeholders, and team members.
• Ability to work under physically demanding conditions, including long hours of fieldwork, exposure to direct sunlight, high temperatures, and possibly rugged terrain.
• Must be capable of traveling extensively across multiple states, including overnight stays, and managing travel logistics.
• Strong attention to detail for data collection and analysis.
• Interested in communicating scientific findings to a broad audience, including through education and outreach activities.
• Valid driver’s license and a safe driving record required.

Desired Skills: 

• Experience using remote sensing technology, including UAVs (drones) for data collection. Part 107 certified pilot.
• Experience collecting plant and insect data or implementing other field monitoring protocols.
• Knowledge of milkweed and other plants relevant to pollinator conservation.
• Experience with GIS and navigating with a GPS or compass.
• Coursework or experience identifying plants and insects.

Equal Opportunity Employment 

The Monarch Joint Venture (MJV) is an equal opportunity employer. As such, MJV offers equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, gender, religion, age, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. These opportunities include all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, job placement, training, compensation, benefits, discipline, advancement, and termination. All employees are expected to adhere to this policy. 

The Monarch Joint Venture is an at-will employer. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.